UFC 299: O'Malley vs. Vera 2 is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that will take place on March 9, 2024, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, United States.
Background
The event will mark the promotion's third visit to Miami and first since UFC 287 in April 2023.
A UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera is expected to headline the event. The pair previously met at UFC 252 in August 2020 which Vera won by first round TKO. Merab Dvalishvili is expected to serve as back up and potential replacement for this fight.
A five round lightweight bout between former interim UFC Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier and Benoît Saint Denis is expected to take place in the co-main event. The bout was briefly in jeopardy when Poirier indicated the bout would not take place as he had never signed a contract and he was unable to come to terms with the promotion. However, Poirier shortly thereafter retracted his statement describing it as a misunderstanding.
A heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida is expected to take place at the event. They were previously expected to headline UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis in November 2023 but Blaydes withdrew for unknown reasons.
Ian Machado Garry and Geoff Neal were expected to meet in a welterweight bout at this event. They were originally booked for UFC 292 in August 2023, but Neal withdrew due to undisclosed health reasons. However the bout was moved to UFC 298 for unknown reasons.
Former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion (also former UFC Women's Flyweight Championship challenger) Lauren Murphy was expected to face Karine Silva in a women's flyweight bout. However, Murphy pulled out due to injury and Silva is now expected to face former KSW Women's Flyweight Champion Ariane Lipski at UFC Fight Night 243.
A light heavyweight bout between Ion Cuțelaba and 2018 PFL heavyweight tournament winner Philipe Lins is expected to take place at the event. They were previously expected to meet at UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green in October 2023 but Lins withdrew the day of the event for unknown reasons.
Sean O'Malley is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion. As of February 20, 2024, he is #8 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.
Marlon Andrés Vera Delgado also known as Chito Vera, is an Ecuadorian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Vera gained entry into the UFC after appearing on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America. As of February 20, 2024, he is #5 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
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